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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Repentance and forgiveness has been on my mind for quite some time. I feel urged to write about my experiences with repentance, and feeling forgiveness. Everyone who has inhabited this earth has sinned or made mistakes. Some mistakes or sins are larger than others, and some are small, but we all make mistakes. When we use our agency to make decisions, we have the opportunity to learn and grow, or to be careless and fall. When we make a decision there is always a consequence, whether it be good or bad.

For example, driving over the speed limit may have an effect on the cause. Cause; You, overlooking the speed limit and becoming vulnerable to the law. Effect; You then have to face the consequence of paying for an unwanted ticket

We've all gone through those routines in our daily lives. We see the effects of wrong choices everyday in our small world. When we make wrong choices, we have a guilt or sorrow weighing on our shoulders, which has a negative effect on us throughout our days, weeks and unfortunately, months. It can drag us down. Fortunately we have the Savior to help us make it through and obtain forgiveness.

A few months ago I had made some "Mistakes" in which brought me grief and pain. There was a person who I needed to seek and ask for forgiveness. I had talked with our Heavenly father about the situation and required of him what I should do. Like any father would say, he told me to give up my sin and confess so I may continue my life with no hinderment.

As months went on, I procrastinated the time to ask for sincere forgiveness. The thought of what I had done kept creeping into my mind. What does the Savior think? What does he expect of me? I came to the conclusion that I needed to give up my fear and confess what I had done wrong. I gave the person a call and talked with him for a time. We counseled with each other and it became a learning experience. Everything is OK, and now I feel good, released, and a weight lifted off of me. I could feel Christ working his miracle in my life.

Do not wait to use our loving Savior, to take us in his arms, to release the bitter pain of regret.

"For most, repentance is more a journey than a one-time event. It is not easy. To change is difficult. It requires running into the wind, swimming upstream. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Repentance is turning away from some things, such as dishonesty, pride, anger, and impure thoughts, and turning toward other things, such as kindness, unselfishness, patience, and spirituality. It is “re-turning” toward God."

Let us take up his cross, give up our pride and look towards the love of God to help us in our lives. Do what is right, keep the commandments and love thy neighbor as thy self. When we feel fear of confessing, or repenting to Heavenly father, remember fear doesn't come from God. He(Satan) doesn't want you to become free from sin, he wants you feel like your at a dead end. In my case I felt I was at a dead end, he held me down only for a time. The Savior will show you the path.

Let him heal you, like he healed me. I know through the power of repentance and forgiveness we can be free from burden. We can become clean through him, who makes sins which are scarlet, as white snow. Become free through him who forgives.

My family owns a small sign business in Ogden Utah. It's a small business which means few workers and few large orders of signs. Just like any other business, when times were hard, money scratching months were put in place to cover your expenses. You needed to be careful an what you spent. There was a time towards the end of my senior year of high school, money came short. I was playing Lacrosse, and having a good time with my few remaining months of high school. My parents came to me one day and told me the situations at work. With tears in both of their eyes, asked me to give up my beloved sport and put my effort towards the family business. They both knew how much Lacrosse meant to me, but to keep the business running was our first priority. I was crushed, we were in the championship finals, and my team needed my help. I asked myself why? Sometimes we don't always understand why. Sometimes it takes time. We got through the hard times of the business, but I learned a very strong lesson. Through the trial of maybe loosing everything I possessed, I learned one of the most important lessons in my life. I still had my family, I still trusted my Heavenly Father would take care of my parents. Nothing can take our faith away, but yourself.

As we face adversity there is always a lesson to be learned, a problem to be fixed, and a trial to be faced. We become strong!! What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.
I know our Heavenly Father is watching over us and wants us to overcome our trials with success. It is up to us to make the most out of our trials. To learn and grow or fall and become weak..

Friday, October 22, 2010

The light of the day seems to be drowning as each week passes. Halloween is on its way, and we soon see ourselves in the "Holidays". It's amazing to think how fast the days come and go. I love this part of the year. The trees leaves turn their colors to be bright and reflective. The cool breeze is in the mist, fog starts rolling and creeping over the hills, and rain fills the open atmosphere. What a great feeling. In a way, a different way of life is now instore for all of us.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The days go by so fast!! Sometimes I wonder, Why do the days go by like they never happened?? As a missionary our days "FLY"!! Teaching, visiting, working, giving service, and helping Gods children. All around we trying to do our best. Our day begins at 6:30 A.M. - 10:30 P.M. We can fit in quite a few activities to fill our day, and keeping in mind what are purpose is. Even as a missionary I get caught up failing to notice the small things.
We consistently need to stop whatever we are doing and look around. STOP, BREATH, and SEE the excitement in our lives. All to much we overlook our blessing or things in our lives we can give more accountability. Heavenly Father has given us countless number of little blessings in our day to day activities we look over.
In the world today EVERYTHING is fast pace, people want things right now, today because tomorrow is late.

STOP, BREATH, and SEE The blessings in YOUR life.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency Said:Patience.."The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness."
"There is an important concept here: patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!Continue in Patience Impatience, on the other hand, is a symptom of selfishness. It is a trait of the self-absorbed. It arises from the all-too-prevalent condition called “center of the universe” syndrome, which leads people to believe that the world revolves around them and that all others are just supporting cast in the grand theater of mortality in which only they have the starring role."

I know we can overcome challenges of tribulation through, praying to our Loving Heavenly Father, seeking his counsel, "STOP, BREATH, and SEE". Be PATIENT with what our blessings are. Look around. We have so many opportunities to grow, learn and serve our fellow men. Take that opportunity to help.

What can you do to show Heavenly Father you love him?? How does Patience influence your life? Why would patience help you to become a more loving mother, father, teacher, brother, sister, or anyone who is someone in your life?
"Continue in Patience"

Monday, October 18, 2010

First things first, my name is Elder Cameron Wright. I was born, raised and grown in a town smaller than a dot on the map. Just on the outskirt of the great salt lake, where grass grows green, corn raises high and the wetlands cross the valley. My town is near the famous city of Ogden, home of the Pacific Union. HOOPER UT. I take pride of my small town. This is the place where my family started their roots "way back when" horse and buggy still existed. My grandfather was a Dairy and "dirt farmer", plus a good old Bus driver. He always put us kids to work.
Anyway, it's a beautiful place to live out looking the rocky mountains and a bright, but smooth west sunset across the Great Salt Lake.
I grew up with 4 older brothers, and was taught to love the outdoors. Raised to respect and honor nature, camping, fishing & hunting, rodeo, and you can't forget sports. My brothers are all married with at least 3 children. All in all, I'm surrounded by a big family, with countless number of nieces and nephews. There is nothing greater in life than being with your family. I love my family!!

I guess you could say my story is short, but not boring. :) The principles taught in my family were along the lines of love, service, and finding true happiness by our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Through Him, the only begotten of the father, allows us to Feel TRUE happiness. Not only in this life, but in the life to come. For time here on earth is just a moment to Him who created us. We need to search this purpose, look, read, and pray for answers to our questions. God loves us, we are his children, and we should trust him with everything we possess.

As you probably know, I am serving as a Full-Time Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Currently serving in Ukiah California, in the Santa Rosa Mission. It has been wonderful serving for Him. My Companion's name is Elder Darion Bevan. It has been a great experience..

Friday, October 15, 2010

Everything we do in this life whether its work, school, parenting and so forth, is always revised, looked over, criticized or maybe even put down. Sometimes we feel inadequate, unworthy, unloved and no one cares! What goes on in your life? You're maybe that person that has no "Special Talent" or "Special Gift" as the world may see as something special in your life. We all have these feelings one time or another in our lives. Our message to you and everyone that sees themselves as being worthless or put down by the world is GOD DOES CARE, and HE LOVES YOU!!

This is one of my favorite talks by one of our church leaders, I hope you like. :) P.S. this is just a little part of it!!

The Love of God

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency

"Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you. God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked. What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to you."

I know God loves each and everyone of us, no matter what color race, gender, age, talents or capability we have. We can come closer to him by following his son Jesus Christ, and by keeping his simple suggestions he has given to us. I love being a Missionary, unfortunately I am very new at this blogging activity. Still trying to figure everything out so if you have comments about how I can improve, let me know. :)